Each classroom in the upper school at CU is located in a habitat. This year Christian's class is located in the Europe habitat. As a means to have some control over the wild Indians of Europe, Mrs. Reyna has developed a reward/punishment system. Each student has the opportunity to earn German francs throughout the week for following directions, using good manners, playing nice with the other Indians, you get the idea, and conversely loses them for behaviors that are less than desirable.
We have just completed the third week of school and already Christian has figured out how to "work" the system. I've never said the child isn't bright!! Wednesday of this week he announces that he has earned six francs for the week already. Apparently he had earned an extra one for being patient. Really??? Patient, we were dumbfounded the child is the exact opposite of patient. I really don't know where he gets that
from. :) He is delighted in his accomplishment, and he announces that means he can be "bad" one time Thursday and still have the required five francs on Friday that is required in order to go to the treasure box. Sure enough, this morning he tells us that he lost a franc on Thursday and that all he has to do is be good enough not to lose any more francs, and he's golden for the treasure box. Now does the kid know how to work it or what? I know the day is coming, all to fast, where he will stop telling on himself, but for now it's really pretty fascinating to hear how his mind works.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Megan our guest blogger
Please give a warm welcome to our guest blogger, my niece, Megan!!!!! I needed to attend the parent meeting for first grade this week, but Randy is in Connecticut, Roxanne was sick, grandma and grandpa in Colorado, Pop and Mimi in New Mexico, GrandMary and Pop Schlieker in Temple, and our friends have kids they need to put to bed in their own beds, so........what's a girl to do, but call in the most loved cousin Megan!!!!!
When I got home she had some of the best little tidbits from her night with the little darlings, especially Miss Muffett. So, here is her guest blog....... Thank you Megan!!!
I want to start this blog with a confession....I am the worst babysitter on earth! Complete pushover from the word go, and I was a little bit nervous starting my venture with my two favorite children, Christian and Caroline. I walked in knowing if they could smell fear, it would be a very long night.
We started the adventure off by eating dinner. Everything was going great except for a particular green vegetable (broccoli) that the kids weren't too interested in. Not one second after Mom left they started hitting me up for dessert. Caroline begins this request saying "ummmm Meg, we already had ice cream today, but sometimes Mom will let us have dessert if we eat all of our macaroni". Christian supported this statement, and I proceeded to call Mom to see if this was ok. Kim answered the phone with a chuckle probably thinking "I haven't even gotten out of the driveway yet"! She agreed, but said they must eat all of their broccoli before dessert is given. I threw out my best lines of "Christian, broccoli will give you strong muscles" and "Caroline, broccoli makes your hair long and beautiful, don't you want that"? They agreed and suffered through it to get their dessert.
I would also like to make a special shout out to Christian who was the ultimate dream child! I hardly knew he was there unless I had to ask one of the many questions about Caroline. He decided he wanted to shower early so he could watch a movie while I got little C ready for bed. He was gone in a flash and back down showered, teeth brushed and pajamas on. While Christian was doing this Caroline decided she wanted to play horsey where she proceeded to whip chocolate chip cookie and sugar cookie (stuffed dogs) with a belt (as well as me a few times) so they would giddy up, as I pounded on the floor making running sounds. Next was the bath time, although she decided to take a shower and wanted to "play" a little bit. I didn't know play meant washing her arms probably around 20 times as I pleaded that she wash the rest of her body so we could wash her hair and proceed on to story time. After many, many minutes I finally convinced her to hurry up!
I rounded up the troops and told them to pick out books. Christian decided he just wanted to go to bed without a story, which prompted Caroline to say "Meg, Mom reads me two books if brother goes to bed early". I thought ohhh of course she does! We started to read, and she made sure to correct me of how to say "Poodlelina" and "Goldilicious" the proper way. We finished the first book, and she was already hitting me up for more..."Meg, can we maybe ready these books twice"? And of course who gave in immediately? ME!
Finally, it was bedtime. I climbed in bed with little C, by request, as she talked and talked about everything she could think of, fighting her heavy eyes. I decided to pretend that I was sleeping so I closed my eyes and stopped responding to her. As I laid there I got this feeling that someone was staring at me. I open my eyes to find two crystal blue eyes three inches from my face. I started laughing, as did she, and finally she gave up the fight and fell asleep.
I had an absolute blast with the little angels. I hope that when they grow up and read this entry they will be filled with as much laughter as I have. Love you C&C!!
When I got home she had some of the best little tidbits from her night with the little darlings, especially Miss Muffett. So, here is her guest blog....... Thank you Megan!!!
I want to start this blog with a confession....I am the worst babysitter on earth! Complete pushover from the word go, and I was a little bit nervous starting my venture with my two favorite children, Christian and Caroline. I walked in knowing if they could smell fear, it would be a very long night.
We started the adventure off by eating dinner. Everything was going great except for a particular green vegetable (broccoli) that the kids weren't too interested in. Not one second after Mom left they started hitting me up for dessert. Caroline begins this request saying "ummmm Meg, we already had ice cream today, but sometimes Mom will let us have dessert if we eat all of our macaroni". Christian supported this statement, and I proceeded to call Mom to see if this was ok. Kim answered the phone with a chuckle probably thinking "I haven't even gotten out of the driveway yet"! She agreed, but said they must eat all of their broccoli before dessert is given. I threw out my best lines of "Christian, broccoli will give you strong muscles" and "Caroline, broccoli makes your hair long and beautiful, don't you want that"? They agreed and suffered through it to get their dessert.
I would also like to make a special shout out to Christian who was the ultimate dream child! I hardly knew he was there unless I had to ask one of the many questions about Caroline. He decided he wanted to shower early so he could watch a movie while I got little C ready for bed. He was gone in a flash and back down showered, teeth brushed and pajamas on. While Christian was doing this Caroline decided she wanted to play horsey where she proceeded to whip chocolate chip cookie and sugar cookie (stuffed dogs) with a belt (as well as me a few times) so they would giddy up, as I pounded on the floor making running sounds. Next was the bath time, although she decided to take a shower and wanted to "play" a little bit. I didn't know play meant washing her arms probably around 20 times as I pleaded that she wash the rest of her body so we could wash her hair and proceed on to story time. After many, many minutes I finally convinced her to hurry up!
I rounded up the troops and told them to pick out books. Christian decided he just wanted to go to bed without a story, which prompted Caroline to say "Meg, Mom reads me two books if brother goes to bed early". I thought ohhh of course she does! We started to read, and she made sure to correct me of how to say "Poodlelina" and "Goldilicious" the proper way. We finished the first book, and she was already hitting me up for more..."Meg, can we maybe ready these books twice"? And of course who gave in immediately? ME!
Finally, it was bedtime. I climbed in bed with little C, by request, as she talked and talked about everything she could think of, fighting her heavy eyes. I decided to pretend that I was sleeping so I closed my eyes and stopped responding to her. As I laid there I got this feeling that someone was staring at me. I open my eyes to find two crystal blue eyes three inches from my face. I started laughing, as did she, and finally she gave up the fight and fell asleep.
I had an absolute blast with the little angels. I hope that when they grow up and read this entry they will be filled with as much laughter as I have. Love you C&C!!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Lost post from Tello this summer
Better Late than Never…
It’s time to play catch up! Whew…its week 5 of summer fun with Christian, Caroline, and Will
and everyone is still accounted for! We have had some fun.
Week 2 of summer was full of camps for all three kids! Will and Christian had Camp Thurman
and loved it! Miss C had Princess Dance Camp every morning, and almost every afternoon
she had a play date with Nina, her best friend who was also in camp with her. Let me tell you
those two little ladies together are a force to be reckoned with. I would give the options of
activities to do and they would say we want to do it all, of course we have time to have lunch,
play dress up, play at the park, swim, go to Chuck E Cheese, and play with puppies in all of 3
hours time before it was time to pick the boys up from Camp Thurman. All in all a busy week!
Week 3 Vacation Bible Camp for Everyone! There were smiles and tears this week. Everyone
enjoyed it but had their own ways of showing it. The boys would walk in go straight to their
teacher, Caroline on the other hand would hold on to me for dear life and cry a little but every
afternoon when I would pick her up she would have a big smile on her face and show me all of
her art work she done for the day! The boys enjoyed it, every afternoon when I picked them up
them would be soaked with water because they were sooo hot outside their class would have a
water fight. Yeah for VBC!
Week 4 Boys have basketball camp! Camp wasn’t great the first day but got better as the week
went on. The boys weren’t sure about camp because there were some older big boys who
weren’t so nice but everything got better. I do believe the highlight of camp was going to the
snack stand and getting snacks. I would ask how basketball was and I would hear “I got pizza
and skittles” or “I need more money for snacks”.
On Wednesday after camp we went on an adventure to Fossil Rim and the kids LOVED it and
I on the other hand would not use that as my word of description. As we went through the
scenic trail the rain came down but it didn’t stop us or the animals. The kids fed and touched
every animal. I was a little freaked when I could feel the deer breath down my neck from the
back seat. I mistakenly said aloud “I don’t like this” and a voice from the back seat says “well
Ms. Botello you chose this, so maybe you made a bad choice of coming” thanks Christian!
All that matters is that the kids loved it, and I would take them again and I feel like I overcame
some fears too!
Quotes from the Kids
Christian to Will “Will always ask your dad for money because dads give more money then
moms”
Will to Ms.Botello “Ms, Botello when a man smiles at you he thinks you’re pretty”
Week 5 more to come….
It’s time to play catch up! Whew…its week 5 of summer fun with Christian, Caroline, and Will
and everyone is still accounted for! We have had some fun.
Week 2 of summer was full of camps for all three kids! Will and Christian had Camp Thurman
and loved it! Miss C had Princess Dance Camp every morning, and almost every afternoon
she had a play date with Nina, her best friend who was also in camp with her. Let me tell you
those two little ladies together are a force to be reckoned with. I would give the options of
activities to do and they would say we want to do it all, of course we have time to have lunch,
play dress up, play at the park, swim, go to Chuck E Cheese, and play with puppies in all of 3
hours time before it was time to pick the boys up from Camp Thurman. All in all a busy week!
Week 3 Vacation Bible Camp for Everyone! There were smiles and tears this week. Everyone
enjoyed it but had their own ways of showing it. The boys would walk in go straight to their
teacher, Caroline on the other hand would hold on to me for dear life and cry a little but every
afternoon when I would pick her up she would have a big smile on her face and show me all of
her art work she done for the day! The boys enjoyed it, every afternoon when I picked them up
them would be soaked with water because they were sooo hot outside their class would have a
water fight. Yeah for VBC!
Week 4 Boys have basketball camp! Camp wasn’t great the first day but got better as the week
went on. The boys weren’t sure about camp because there were some older big boys who
weren’t so nice but everything got better. I do believe the highlight of camp was going to the
snack stand and getting snacks. I would ask how basketball was and I would hear “I got pizza
and skittles” or “I need more money for snacks”.
On Wednesday after camp we went on an adventure to Fossil Rim and the kids LOVED it and
I on the other hand would not use that as my word of description. As we went through the
scenic trail the rain came down but it didn’t stop us or the animals. The kids fed and touched
every animal. I was a little freaked when I could feel the deer breath down my neck from the
back seat. I mistakenly said aloud “I don’t like this” and a voice from the back seat says “well
Ms. Botello you chose this, so maybe you made a bad choice of coming” thanks Christian!
All that matters is that the kids loved it, and I would take them again and I feel like I overcame
some fears too!
Quotes from the Kids
Christian to Will “Will always ask your dad for money because dads give more money then
moms”
Will to Ms.Botello “Ms, Botello when a man smiles at you he thinks you’re pretty”
Week 5 more to come….
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Back to School
My little boy, isn't so little anymore, weighing in at 70 lbs., measuring 4' 5" tall, wearing a size 10 shorts and size 3.5 shoe as he begins first grade. I'd try to keep him from growing so fast, but he's too big to hold anymore.
Miss Muffett is no small fry herself. Weighing in at 50 lbs., measuring 3'6" tall, wearing a size 5 dress and size 13 shoe as she begins pre-K. We don't grow them small in the Schlieker house.
Miss Muffett is no small fry herself. Weighing in at 50 lbs., measuring 3'6" tall, wearing a size 5 dress and size 13 shoe as she begins pre-K. We don't grow them small in the Schlieker house.
Christian is over the moon because his buddy Erik is in his class this year. Lots of new faces, mostly boys, in Caroline's class. She's thrilled, as she is unbelievably boy crazy.
Christian's First grade teacher, Mrs. Reyna
Caroline's Pre-K teacher, Mrs. Powell
It's going to be a great year!!
Schlieker Summer Recap
Whew.......summer is over and I'm tired!!!! We attended dance camp, baseball camp, basketball camp, camp Thurman, vacation bible camp, took swimming lessons, went to Cancun, and "adopted" a brother for the summer. Like I said, I'm tired!!!! Grab yourself an adult beverage and settle in for a long read, my friends, this is the Schlieker summer recap!!!
Our adopted brother, Will Graygor, and Christian attended week two of Camp Thurman. You might remember the saga last summer with Camp Thurman. Mom and Dad out of town, Christine taking Christian to Cook's Children's, etc... ring any bells. Well, I thought that can't POSSIBLY happen again this year. Surely, Christian will listen to my preaching about drinking all of his Gatorade and water. Surely, the camp counselor will listen when I tell him what happened last year, in my nicest don't you dare let this kid get dehydrated voice!!!!! All is good days 1 and 2, then I get the call on day 3. Roxanne is picking the boys up from camp, thankfully I'm in town this time, and Christian's crying, saying he has a headache and TOLD THE CAMP COUNSELORS THAT HE DIDN'T FEEL WELL AND WANTED TO GO TO THE NURSE!!!!!!!! Did they send him, NO, did they call me, NO. Was I beyond pissed off, YES!!!!!!
I'm telling you I could have taken out an entire army that afternoon. I rushed home, and thankfully had some Tylenol with codeine left over from the last round, gave it to him and he bounced back quickly this time. Crisis avoided, but really, I'm not sure I will ever send him back to that camp. It makes me crazy that this happened two summers in a row.
The same week that the boys were in Camp Thurman, Caroline attended princess dance camp. It is as girly as you imagine, complete with a visit from Snow White.
Next on the agenda, was Aggie Baseball Camp. Will and Christian went together and we rented a house in Bryan for our stay, which happened to have a pool. This is how Caroline and I spent our days....
Our adopted brother, Will Graygor, and Christian attended week two of Camp Thurman. You might remember the saga last summer with Camp Thurman. Mom and Dad out of town, Christine taking Christian to Cook's Children's, etc... ring any bells. Well, I thought that can't POSSIBLY happen again this year. Surely, Christian will listen to my preaching about drinking all of his Gatorade and water. Surely, the camp counselor will listen when I tell him what happened last year, in my nicest don't you dare let this kid get dehydrated voice!!!!! All is good days 1 and 2, then I get the call on day 3. Roxanne is picking the boys up from camp, thankfully I'm in town this time, and Christian's crying, saying he has a headache and TOLD THE CAMP COUNSELORS THAT HE DIDN'T FEEL WELL AND WANTED TO GO TO THE NURSE!!!!!!!! Did they send him, NO, did they call me, NO. Was I beyond pissed off, YES!!!!!!
I'm telling you I could have taken out an entire army that afternoon. I rushed home, and thankfully had some Tylenol with codeine left over from the last round, gave it to him and he bounced back quickly this time. Crisis avoided, but really, I'm not sure I will ever send him back to that camp. It makes me crazy that this happened two summers in a row.
The same week that the boys were in Camp Thurman, Caroline attended princess dance camp. It is as girly as you imagine, complete with a visit from Snow White.
How cute is that?? This was from their little show they did for the parents at the end of the week. To look that cute in a tutu!!
Next on the agenda, was Aggie Baseball Camp. Will and Christian went together and we rented a house in Bryan for our stay, which happened to have a pool. This is how Caroline and I spent our days....
While Caroline and I were kicked back enjoying the pool, the boys were roaming the halls of the Callaway House. The Callaway house is the most amazing dorm I have ever seen. Let me tell you it is a far cry from Griffith Hall at SFA!! Big screen TVs, game room, swimming pool, movie theatre, cafeteria with REAL chefs. I mean what exactly would be the motivation to get out of College. That's better than I lived even after I had a degree!!
All checked in new baseball t-shirts and hats, we leave them in the capable hands of their baseball coaches.
First day is Noon - 9pm and a wiffle ball game to wrap up the first day.
Second day, Randy, Caroline and I go to visit Dottie, Randy's grandmother. She lives in Bryan in a retirement home. I did take some pictures of our visit with Dottie, but I can't find them now. That's what I get for not posting more diligently over the summer. Anyway, it was about time for the boy's lunch break when we finished our visit with Dottie. We decide to go over and check on them, because the second day was from 8am - 9pm with two hour breaks at lunch and dinner. We arrive just in time to see the boys about to get on the elevator at the Callaway House. We ask them, where they were going. Christian is just about in tears at this point. They said they were finished with lunch and one of the boys said they could come up to his room. Really????? Random boy, they don't know the room number, they don't know the floor, have no idea where they are going or how to get back, but they were on their way. At this point we are sure that they didn't listen and follow the instructions from their coach, because who in their right mind would let 6 year olds roam around the campus unsupervised??? We quizzed both of them together and separately, their stories matched up. So, that's when we realized that our first year of Aggie baseball camp, was going to be an "education" for us all. From that point on, we showed up at the lunch and dinner break, to intercept them before they got lost or got into trouble. We spent the breaks like this instead....
A little big buck game hunter
Coldstone ice cream
Each day when we returned with them during the breaks, I expected the coach's to be looking for them, but they never were. I've told that story now probably 5 times and I'm still amazed as I write it again. Highlights from baseball camp.
Our "adopted" brother Will
Slide Christian's safe!
Morning exercises. Not Christian's favorite.
Hey batter batter!
Big brother's biggest fan!
Of course, Reveille needed in on the action.
The boys had a great time and despite the lack of supervision was a great experience for them. Christian learned a lot of new skills and I was very pleased when the coach told me that Christian was a pleasure to have. The most exciting thing that happened was that he was clocked throwing a 39mph baseball.
We also had some awesome food in College Station. The Hullabaloo Diner was on the food network on Diners, drive-ins and Dives. It is a restaurant that truly fits the definition of dive. It's in a converted airstream bus. They are famous for their Philly cheese steak sandwich. I tried it, and it was delicious!
The other little treat we had was one of Christine's favorites when she lived in College Station. The Cafe Eccel strawberry tart. Heavenly!
When we returned from College Station, Caroline had green hair from all the chlorine. I had told her that we really needed to get a haircut, but she was not having any of that. So, what do I do when I really need one of my kids to do something and they are refusing?? Call in Roxy!!!
She has supernatural powers and can get them to do anything. Sure enough, haircut is scheduled and next thing I know, Roxy is texting me saying they cut 2.5 inches off Miss Muffett's hair and it looks like this...
I could have passed her on the street, she looks so different. I have to say that I have always thought that I have a love hate relationship with those curls, but after seeing her hair flat ironed, I realize I only have love for those curls. Caroline loved her straight hair. She couldn't stop touching it. The new look was short lived and we've only straightened it once since then.
This summer was by far the worst stretch of problems I have had in 13 years in my business. It was like a domino effect and I just couldn't get ahead of it. However, I had a couple of days to escape in late August. Randy was working in Connecticut, most of the summer, so I grabbed the kids and of course, my left arm, Roxy and we headed to Cancun. I literally booked the trip on a Tuesday and we left on Thursday. Like all trips when traveling with children, it had its stressful moments but all in all I needed a break and I got one, with one itty bitty exception.........I lost my wedding ring!!!! Yes, you read that right. I actually think it was stolen, because I was missing some cash from my wallet as well, but I can't prove it. Thankfully, it was insured and recently reappraised so we are covered, but man that really sucked.
On a happier note, here's some highlights from our trip.
This is the view from our patio of our room. The kids could go out onto the beach anytime they wanted and I could see them from our very comfortable lounge chairs.
Making friends wherever he goes, especially when football is involved!
Can you believe I got that shot!! Score!!
This little girl turned into a fish this summer. We've got a swimmer on our hands!!
The hammock was on our patio looking out to the ocean. I have to admit that I wasn't brave enough to try it, but fear of falling didn't stop C&C.
That about wraps it up. We had an action packed, fun filled summer. Back to the grind.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Happy Father's Day
Father's day weekend was a blast!!! We went out to Lake Whitney with the Graygor's. Rented condos in White Bluff and Saturday rented a boat on Lake Whitney. We had too much fun.
Blonde, beautifully bronzed and couldn't be happier, now that's the life!!
The boys tubed together until Christian fell off. I think it scared him that we had to leave him in the water while we circled to come get him. He thought we were leaving him. He tried another time, but bit the dust again, and that was the end of tubing for Christian. Will however, was the tubing king!!
Happy Father's Day to my sweet husband!! Our kids could not have a better daddy!! We love you!
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